Arizona White Mountain Real Estate

Resale Market Trends in White Mountains

Since this is my first blog post, I’ll tell you a little about my areas of expertise.  I’m a realtor and am associated with two boards in the State of Arizona; the Scottsdale board and the White Mountain board.  While I love the Valley of the Sun, I have also spent a great deal of time in Show Low and find it to be a wonderful respite from the heat of the valley summers.   In addition, a brisk walk in the winter among the pine trees, especially during the holidays is enchanting.  I am from the Midwest and love that I can drive only 2-1/2 hours north to see a change in seasons.   

If you are unfamiliar with The White Mountains of Arizona this beautiful area encompass many communities including but not limited to Heber/Overgaard, Show Low, Pinetop/Lakeside, Snowflake, Greer, Alpine, Eager, Forest Lakes, Holbrook, Joseph City, Linden, Springerville, St. Johns, Taylor and Vernon. 

These communities have also seen a slow down in sales and a decrease in property values.  It is a buyer’s market for the most part, but a good deal of home owners who have a second home in the White Mountains would rather sit it out than take less than what they feel their homes are worth.  I just wrote a contract on an adorable cabin in Overgaard and it was definitely not overpriced, so there is value.  Especially if you are buying because you love the area(s).  

Currently there are 5,519 active listings in White Mountain Association of Realtors MLS site  The average residential price for a home in the area decreased 19.3% over the course of  the past year.  The average residential price in September, 2007 was $266,747 compared to September, 2008 which stands at $215,343.

From January to September, 2007, 1,015 residenial properties were sold.  Compared to the same time frame in 2008 which saw only 740 properties sold, a decline of 27%.   (Information obtained from the WMAR realtor website.)

Once the weather starts getting colder, things slow down a bit more until the spring.  However, there are still some good deals out there if you’re thinking of a second home or to relocate.  The drive is pleasant and there are actually two different ways to get up the mountain from the valley–so you’re not stuck on one road in and out.  Give it a try, you might really like it and I’d be happy to show you around.